Ever wonder what helps keep your balance when you get out of your bed or your chair and walk on the floor? What is the mechanism in your body that prevents you from falling after each step, or helps you strike that balanced yoga pose?
A connection from your inner ear to your brain which is known as the vestibular system helps in this along with assistance from the visual system and sensors in your skin, muscles and joints.
The vestibular system in each inner ear consists of 3 semicircular canalsl and two pockets called the otolith organs.
The 3 semicircular canals consist of fluid which moves during head movements causing it to stimulate the tiny hairs within the structure which sends messages to the brain via the balance (vestibular) nerve. Each of these canals have a different orientation which helps recognize the kind of movement such as nodding or rotating.
The 2 otolith organs known as the utricle and saccule send messages to the brain about the body’s movement with the small crystals present in them which displace during movements to stimulate the tiny hairs which transfer the information to the brain via the balance nerve.
For e.g If you are walking in a straight line or backwards, or if you are climbing up or down the stairs/slope.
It also gives information about the position of your head in relation to gravity.
For e.g. if you are lying down or leaning
Vestibular disorders occur when a disease or damage occurs to the balance system. The common signs of vestibular disorders are vertigo, dizziness, imbalance,nausea and vomiting.
Individuals suffering from vestibular disorders also find that they have difficulty in concentrating, recalling things, poor memory, difficulty in reading printed media and impaired mental stamina. More than 35% of geriatrics and adults experience some symptoms of vestibular disorders during their lifetime
Some Vestibular disorders with their symptoms and causes are :
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or BPPV, a type of positional vertigo, which is indicated by sudden swaying or spinning.
Vestibular neuritis which affects the balance nerve occurs in a person who has had a viral infection such as measles and chickenpox to name a few.
Labrynthitis is an inner ear infection which happens due to the inflammation of one of the structures within the inner ear known as the labyrinth. This infection is accompanied by pus or fluid from the ear, hearing loss and balance issues.
Perilymphatic fistula is caused by a defect between the inner ear and middle ear which causes hearing loss or dizziness. Surgical intervention may cure the defect.
Acoustic neuroma is a non cancerous tumor which grows to press against the hearing nerve and the balance nerve affecting those functions.
Some ototoxic drugs may cause reversible vestibular issues.
Enlarged vestibular aqueducts are mostly genetic in nature where a structure, known as the vestibular aqueduct, is larger than its normal size and may cause hearing loss.
Vestibular migraine is a common condition where the transmission of the signals between the brain and the balance system are affected. This causes severe headache, hypersensitivity to light or sound, dizziness, hearing loss and ringing in the ears.
The severity and type of disorders can vary and so can the symptoms. This makes it difficult to describe. Many disorders go unnoticed because the client does not know how to sort out their symptoms or because others dont take them seriously because of how varying their symptoms are.
Many people suffering from vestibular disorders find it difficult to focus on work and are considered lazy or attention seeking. Proper triaging is the key and this is taken care of by our experienced audiologists.
Evaluates the inner ear’s response to sound and helps determine the function of the cochlea.
Uses a special instrument with goggles that measure a disorder of the inner ear that may cause imbalance, vertigo or inability to walk straight.
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy or VRT is a successful treatment which has a recovery rate of 70-80 %.Low impact exercises such as yoga which aids with restoration of balance will be suggested by our specialist with the opinion of our occupational therapist if needed.
Balance Training exercises key in resolving issues with balancing especially in cases like labrynthitis. The goal is to improve steadiness so that the person can do normal day to day activities. Gaze stabilization and positional exercises are some of many specific vestibular exercises that are done based on the symptoms reported to our specialists.